Jamaica profile

Demography and Health

Jamaica is home to about 2.84 million people in 2024, with a population size that places it mid-range within the Caribbean. The country experiences some outward migration, as indicated by a net migration of approximately -10,506 people in 2024, suggesting that more residents leave than arrive. Fertility remains moderate, with a birth rate of 11.6 per 1,000 people in 2023, and mortality shows a crude rate of 8.08 per 1,000 people (2023). Life expectancy at birth stands at 71.5 years (2023), reflecting health outcomes that are reasonable for a middle-income island nation but with room for improvement. The under-5 mortality rate is 19.3 per 1,000 live births (2023), signaling ongoing challenges in child health that may relate to access to care, nutrition, and social determinants. Poverty at national poverty lines is reported at 16.7% (2021), and the prevalence of undernourishment is 7.3% (2022), indicating that segments of the population remain vulnerable to deprivation and food insecurity. Unemployment is relatively low at 3.02% (2023), which hints at a resilient labor market, though this figure can mask informal employment patterns and regional disparities. Health spending is substantial for a country of its income level, with current health expenditure at 7.78% of GDP (2022) and domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, of about 705 international US dollars (2022), suggesting sustained public investment in health services. The health system capacity shows 1.68 hospital beds per 1,000 people (2021), pointing to modest hospital density that may constrain access during outbreaks or surges in demand. The government and civil society also track mental health and safety indicators, with suicide mortality at 1.69 per 100,000 population (2021). Internet connectivity is strong, with 83.4% of the population online in 2023, enabling health information dissemination, telemedicine, and digital health services. Overall, Jamaica demonstrates meaningful health and human development progress, but migration, child health outcomes, hospital capacity, and nutrition remain key areas for continued focus.

Economy

Jamaica’s economy in 2024 reflects a middle‑income profile with a mix of services, tourism, manufacturing, and some export-oriented activity. GDP per capita at current US$ terms is about 7,020, while GDP per capita at PPP is around 11,662 international US dollars, signaling a standard of living that is modest by global standards but higher than many peers in the region when accounting for price differences. Inflation runs at 5.41% in 2024, indicating persistent but manageable price pressures affecting households and investment costs. The country shows engagement in higher-value activities through high-technology exports worth about 1.22 million US dollars in 2023, suggesting a developing niche in knowledge-intensive production, even though the absolute value remains relatively small. The unemployment rate of 3.02% (2023) points to a tight labor market, but this figure may obscure underemployment or skill mismatches across sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. The poverty rate at national poverty lines sits at 16.7% (2021), indicating that a meaningful portion of the population remains economically vulnerable despite overall growth. Key connectivity indicators are supportive for a modern economy: 83.4% of the population uses the Internet, enabling digital services and e-commerce. External sector dynamics show foreign direct investment net inflows at 0.826% of GDP in 2024, signaling ongoing openness to private capital but room to attract larger or more diversified inflows. The current account balance stands at 3.41% of GDP (2024), implying a modest external surplus that can help fund investment and cushion shocks. Taken together, Jamaica’s economy exhibits resilience with macro stability and opportunities for export diversification, though it faces structural challenges related to productivity, capital deepening, and inclusive growth.

Trade and Investment

In trade and investment, Jamaica displays a trajectory of improving trade facilitation and selective external investment. The Logistics Performance Index for quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure is 2.4 (2022) on a 1–5 scale, and the country ranks relatively well (about 22nd among peers) in this dimension, suggesting that Jamaica benefits from reasonably effective logistics, ports, and border procedures that support trade competitiveness. Foreign direct investment net inflows amount to 0.826% of GDP in 2024, indicating ongoing private capital inflows that can support growth in targeted sectors. The current account balance stands at 3.41% of GDP (2024), signaling a modest external position that can underpin currency stability and investment confidence during global volatility. Jamaica’s export mix includes high-technology goods, with high-technology exports valued at about 1.22 million US dollars in 2023, pointing to early-stage diversification into more sophisticated products, even as overall export volumes remain modest by global standards. The renewable energy share of total final energy consumption is 10.5% (2021), suggesting an opportunity to reduce energy costs and import dependence over time, which can strengthen trade balance and energy security. Governance indicators that influence investment—such as regulatory quality (0.098, 2023) and rule of law (-0.175, 2023)—signal ample room for policy improvements to unleash private investment, contract certainty, and business certainty. The net outflow of people (net migration −10,506 in 2024) may affect the availability of skilled labor and consumer demand dynamics, highlighting a need for policies that attract and retain talent alongside investment. Overall, Jamaica’s trade and investment landscape shows a foundation for growth with specific opportunities in logistics efficiency, high-tech upgrading, and energy transition, tempered by governance challenges that can dampen private sector confidence if not addressed.

Governance and Institutions

Jamaica’s governance profile presents a mixed but constructive picture. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism is 0.385 (rank 80), indicating a reasonably stable political environment relative to global peers, though not without periodic social or security challenges. Government effectiveness is 0.407 (rank 63), suggesting credible public service delivery and policy implementation compared with regional benchmarks. Regulatory quality is 0.098 (rank 88), reflecting some constraints in policy formulation and execution. The rule of law is −0.175 (rank 109), signaling concerns about the strength and reliability of legal frameworks, enforcement, and judicial independence. Control of corruption sits at −0.112 (rank 91), pointing to vulnerabilities in governance that can affect investment decisions and public trust. These indicators collectively imply that Jamaica enjoys a reasonably stable governance environment with meaningful strengths in public administration, but with notable weaknesses in legal enforcement and anti-corruption efforts. The combination of moderate governance quality alongside migration pressures and social challenges suggests that sustained reforms in efficiency, transparency, and rule-of-law protections would help attract deeper investment and support inclusive growth.

Infrastructure and Technology

Jamaica’s infrastructure and technology landscape features strong digital connectivity and solid trade logistics, but relatively limited physical infrastructure in some domains. Individuals using the Internet reach 83.4% of the population (2023), indicating widespread digital access that underpins e-government, online commerce, and digital services. Patent applications by residents are 16 (2021), signaling a nascent national innovation system with substantial headroom for growth in research and development. Hospital beds stand at 1.68 per 1,000 people (2021), pointing to relatively modest hospital capacity that could constrain response to health shocks without further investment. Renewable energy consumption represents 10.5% of total final energy consumption (2021), leaving considerable room for expanding cleaner energy sources to improve energy security and reduce import costs. Domestic general government health expenditure per capita in PPP is 705 international US dollars (2022), indicating active public funding for health services, though per-person investment remains modest compared with high-income peers. The Logistics Performance Index score of 2.4, with a favorable rank, suggests Jamaica’s trade-related infrastructure—ports, customs, and logistics services—performs reasonably well, supporting export-oriented activities. Overall, Jamaica benefits from strong digital connectivity and logistics readiness, but it would benefit from increased investment in R&D, healthcare capacity, and renewable energy modernization to raise productivity and resilience.

Environment and Sustainability

Jamaica’s environmental and sustainability indicators reflect a country balancing development with climate and resource pressures. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 2.87 t CO2e, indicating a mid-level emissions intensity consistent with a service- and tourism-heavy economy that still relies on fossil energy for some sectors (2023). Water resources show a level of stress at 12.4% (2021), suggesting moderate pressure from domestic, agricultural, and tourist water use and the importance of water governance and efficiency measures to safeguard supply. The prevalence of undernourishment is 7.3% (2022), highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring food security for all segments of the population, particularly in vulnerable groups. Renewable energy contributes 10.5% of total final energy consumption (2021), underscoring the opportunity to diversify the energy mix, reduce costs, and lower emissions through greater deployment of renewables and modernization of the grid. Jamaica’s environmental trajectory thus points to progress in emissions management and energy transition, with clear opportunities to expand clean energy, improve water stewardship, and bolster climate resilience in communities and tourism infrastructure facing extreme weather risks.